for the love

Maddy (7) & Parker (10)
Our Wedding- 2001



If you have a seven and ten year old in your house, go give them a big hug, tell them you love them, and then don't blink your eyes.

Because if you do, when you open them, those kids will be almost fifteen and almost eighteen. I'm not at all kidding.

Look at those cute, little, happy faces. . . I can't believe they are so big now. So old. So teenager-ish. So almost adults.


When I am in the throes of mini-meltdowns, standing in a pile of Lego's, with peanut butter smeared on my favorite jeans, and my hair in a pony tail because I didn't have time to actually fix it, I have to remind myself that this will not last forever- that it will be over too soon.


Because I now know from experience that in "kid time", ten years feels like 10 minutes. That's how long ago I met those tiny faces.


And here I sit, totally unprepared for what is to come- kids in college, on missions, driving cars, making their own life decisions.

I…

I love this man. My life is difficult without him.



To Aaron,
It's been three long days without you. Three long, sad, depressing, challenging, tiring, stressful, lonely (did I say long?) days as a single mom.
Thank goodness I had my shows. Maddy watched American Idol with me, to help ease my pain and sorrow.
The kids were naughty. I never made a "real" dinner. There were 3 hours spent at a Primary Activity- an hour of which was spent vacuuming up sprinkles off of the carpet. (Note to anyone- don't ever use sprinkles at a Primary Activity.) I missed my appointment to donate blood. I had to shovel snow. Twice.

And there may have been something like an IV of diet coke to keep me sane and somewhat pleasant. And mini Butterfingers.
Straight up. . . I am the happiest girl in the world now that you are home. Cause life is so much better with you around. . . and not hanging out in front of The Bellagio.

Love, Mandee

I was going through some old family videos- I found this one and had to share.

Charlie was probably somewhere between 4-6 months, which would make Max around 2 and a half. Oh my gosh, what I would give to go back to that moment. Charlie (now almost 4 and a half) is still our child with a hearty, contagious, belly laugh. Between "I love you Mama" and some occasional screaming, it's all I hear throughout my day. And that makes me one lucky mom.





Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com